Journey to the West
We shall not speak of the celestial gods surrounding the mountain, nor of the Great Sage resting. Let us turn instead to the South Sea, to Mount Putuo and Luojia Cave, where the Greatly Compassionate, Greatly Merciful, Suffering-Relieving, Miracle-Responding Bodhisattva Guanyin dwells.
She had been invited by the Queen Mother of the West to attend the Grand Peach Banquet. Together with her chief disciple, the Huian Wanderer, she ascended to the Treasure Pavilion and Jasper Pool. There she found all desolate and cold, the banquet tables in disarray. Though a few celestial immortals were present, none took their seats. All stood in chaos, talking in confusion.
After the Bodhisattva greeted the immortals, they told her everything that had happened.
The Bodhisattva said, "Since there is no grand feast and no wine is being passed, you may all follow this poor monk to see the Jade Emperor."
The immortals gladly followed. Before the Hall of Clear Light, they met the Four Celestial Masters, the Bare-Foot Immortal, and others, who had already arrived. They greeted the Bodhisattva and told her of the Jade Emperor's troubles: how he had deployed celestial soldiers to capture the monster, but they had not yet returned.
The Bodhisattva said, "I wish to see the Jade Emperor. Please announce me."
The Celestial Master Qiu Hongji entered the Empyrean Hall, reported, and received permission to bring her in. At that time, the Supreme Lord Laozi stood above, and the Queen Mother of the West stood behind.
The Bodhisattva led the immortals inside. After performing court rites to the Jade Emperor, she greeted Laozi and the Queen Mother. All took their seats.
She asked, "How did the Peach Banquet proceed?"
The Jade Emperor said, "In past years, every invitation was met with joy. This year, a demon monkey caused chaos. The feast was emptily prepared."
The Bodhisattva asked, "From where does this demon monkey come?"
The Jade Emperor replied, "This demon monkey was born from a stone egg in Flower-Fruit Mountain, in the Aolai Kingdom of the Eastern Continent of Superior Body. When he first emerged, his eyes shot golden light that pierced the Palace of the Dipper. At first, I did not concern myself with it. Later, he became a spirit, subdued dragons and tigers, and erased his name from the Register of Death.
"The Dragon Kings and the King of Hell reported this to me. I wished to capture him, but the Long-Life Star reported, 'Between the Three Realms, all beings with nine apertures can attain immortality.' So I sent education to cultivate him, summoned him to the upper realm, and appointed him as the Bimawen of the Celestial Stables.
"That creature found the office too low and rebelled against the heavenly palace. I dispatched Heavenly King Li and Prince Nezha to subdue him, then issued a decree of pacification. I summoned him to the upper realm again and conferred upon him the title Great Sage Equal to Heaven—though it was an office without salary.
"Since he had no duties to manage, he roamed east and west. Fearing he might breed further disorder, I put him in charge of the Peach Garden. But he did not obey the laws. He stole all the large peaches from the old trees.
"When the feast was prepared, he was an unsalaried person and was not invited. So he devised a scheme to deceive the Bare-Foot Immortal, transformed himself into that immortal's appearance, and entered the feast. He stole all the immortal delicacies and immortal wine. He also stole the old one's immortal elixir and several jars of imperial wine, and took them to his mountain to enjoy with his monkeys.
"My heart is troubled by this. Therefore, I deployed one hundred thousand celestial soldiers with heavenly nets and earthly snares to subdue him. But this day has passed without report. I do not know victory or defeat."
The Bodhisattva heard this and immediately commanded the Huian Wanderer, "Go quickly down from Heaven to Flower-Fruit Mountain. Investigate the military situation. If you encounter battle, you may assist. But you must return with truthful report."
The Huian Wanderer straightened his robes, gripped an iron staff, rode a cloud, left the palace, and went straight to the mountain front.
There he saw the heavenly nets and earthly snares, layer upon dense layer. At each camp gate, soldiers carried bells and called watchwords. The mountain was surrounded so tightly that not even water could leak through.
The Wanderer stood and called, "Guard of the camp gate, please transmit this message: I am Nezha, the Second Son of Heavenly King Li, Huian, chief disciple of Bodhisattva Guanyin of the South Sea. I have come specially to investigate the military situation."
The Five Sacred Peaks' divine soldiers at the camp transmitted this into the headquarters gate. The Void Day Rat, the Tally Day Rooster, the Star Day Horse, and the Room Day Rabbit passed the message to the central command tent.
Heavenly King Li issued a command flag, ordering the heavenly nets and earthly snares to open and let him enter.
At this time, the eastern sky was just brightening. The Wanderer followed the flag inside. He bowed to the Four Heavenly Kings and Heavenly King Li.
After the rites, Heavenly King Li said, "Child, from where have you come?"
The Wanderer said, "This foolish son followed the Bodhisattva to the Peach Banquet. The Bodhisattva saw the grand feast in desolation, the Jasper Pool in loneliness. She led the immortals and this foolish son to see the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor explained in detail that Father King and others descended to the mortal realm to subdue the demon monkey, but one day has passed without report. Victory or defeat remains unknown. The Bodhisattva therefore commanded this foolish son to come here to inquire the truth."
Heavenly King Li said, "Yesterday we arrived here and made camp. We sent the Nine Luminaries to challenge. That creature displayed great supernatural power, and all Nine Stars fled in defeat. Later, we personally led troops. That creature also formed battle lines. Our one hundred thousand celestial soldiers fought in chaos with him until evening. He used a body-division spell to drive us back. When we withdrew and inspected, we had captured only wolves, snakes, tigers, and leopards. We did not capture half a demon monkey. Today, he has not yet come out to battle."
Before he finished speaking, someone came to the camp gate and reported, "The Great Sage leads a group of monkey spirits. They are outside, challenging!"
The Four Heavenly Kings, Heavenly King Li, and the Prince were discussing sending out troops when the Wanderer said, "Father King, this foolish son was commanded by the Bodhisattva to descend and investigate. It was said that if battle was encountered, I might assist. Now, though unworthy, I wish to go. Let me see what kind of Great Sage he truly is."
Heavenly King Li said, "Child, you have cultivated under the Bodhisattva these past years. You must have some supernatural power. Be careful."
The worthy Prince gripped his iron staff with both hands, tightened his embroidered robe, leaped out of the camp gate, and cried loudly, "Which one is the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?"
The Great Sage raised his Wish-Fulfilling Rod and answered, "Old Sun is he. Who are you that dares to ask me?"
The Wanderer said, "I am Nezha, the Second Son of Heavenly King Li. Now I serve as the Bodhisattva Guanyin's disciple and guardian of her teachings. My Dharma name is Huian."
The Great Sage said, "You do not cultivate in the South Sea. Why have you come here to see me?"
The Wanderer said, "My master sent me to investigate the military situation. Seeing you so rampant, I have come specially to capture you."
The Great Sage said, "You dare speak such big words? Do not run. Taste this rod from old Sun."
The Wanderer feared him not at all. He raised his iron staff and met the attack hand to hand.
These two fought there on the mountainside, outside the camp gate. This battle was truly magnificent:
Staff met staff, yet each iron was different;
weapon crossed weapon, yet each man was not the same.
One was the Taiyi Scattered Immortal called Great Sage;
one was the Bodhisattva's disciple, the True Yuan Dragon.
The mixed-iron staff was forged by a thousand hammer-strikes,
wielded by Six Ding and Six Jia with supernatural skill;
the Wish-Fulfilling Rod settled the Heavenly River,
a treasure-sea god's relic with vast magical power.
These two met as true opponents—
their exchanges and techniques were truly endless.
This one's shadow-hand staff held ten thousand perils,
circling the waist, threading the rope, swift as wind;
that one's spear-locking rod left no opening,
blocking left, shielding right—how could they yield?
On that array, flags flashed brilliantly;
on this array, turtle-drums boomed heavily.
Ten thousand celestial generals surrounded in tight circles;
one cave's demon monkeys clustered in dense crowds.
Strange mist and sorrowful clouds covered the earth below;
wolf-smoke and killer-aura shot toward the heavenly palace.
Yesterday's chaotic battle was still bearable;
today's struggle was even more fierce.
Truly admirable, the Monkey King's true skill—
the Wanderer was defeated again and fled for his life.
The Great Sage and the Wanderer fought for fifty or sixty rounds. The Wanderer's arms grew sore and numb. He could no longer face the enemy. He feinted a shake, broke from the battle, and fled.
The Great Sage also withdrew his monkey troops and made camp outside the cave entrance.
The Heavenly King's camp gate was met by celestial soldiers, great and small. They received the Prince, cleared the main road, and let him enter the camp gate directly. Facing the Four Heavenly Kings, Li the Pagoda-Bearer, and Nezha, he panted heavily, his breath not yet settled.
"Great Sage! Great Sage! Truly his supernatural power is vast! Your son could not defeat him. I have returned in defeat!"
Heavenly King Li saw this and was alarmed. He immediately ordered a memorial written to request aid. He dispatched the Great Strength Demon King and the Wanderer Prince to ascend to Heaven and report.
The two did not dare to linger. They broke out of the heavenly nets and earthly snares, rode auspicious clouds and colored mist, and in moments arrived before the Hall of Clear Light.
They saw the Four Celestial Masters, who led them into the Empyrean Hall and presented the memorial. The Wanderer also bowed to the Bodhisattva.
The Bodhisattva said, "What did you investigate?"
The Wanderer replied, "When I first received the command and arrived at Flower-Fruit Mountain, I called open the gate of the heavenly nets and earthly snares. I saw my father and explained the Bodhisattva's intention in sending me.
"Father King said, 'Yesterday we fought the Monkey King once. We captured only his tigers, leopards, lions, and elephants. We did not capture a single demon monkey.'
"While we were speaking, he demanded battle again. This disciple wielded the iron staff and fought with him for fifty or sixty rounds. I could not gain victory and fled back to camp. Father therefore dispatched the Great Strength Demon King to accompany this disciple to the upper realm to request aid."
The Bodhisattva lowered her head and pondered.
The Jade Emperor opened the memorial. Seeing the request for aid, he laughed, "This monkey spirit is endurable! What great skill can he possess that he dares to oppose one hundred thousand celestial soldiers? And now Heavenly King Li comes again requesting aid. Which path of divine soldiers shall we send to assist him?"
Before he finished speaking, Guanyin clasped her palms and reported, "Let Your Majesty's heart be at ease. This poor monk recommends one deity who can capture this monkey."
The Jade Emperor asked, "Which deity do you recommend?"
The Bodhisattva said, "Your Majesty's nephew, the Manifesting Sage True Lord Erlang. He currently resides at Guanzhou, at the mouth of the Guan River, where he enjoys incense and offerings from the mortal realm. In past days, he once slew six monsters by his own strength. He also has the Meishan Brothers and one thousand two hundred Grass-Topped Spirits under his command. His supernatural power is vast.
"But he only obeys deployment orders, not summons. Your Majesty may issue a deployment decree, commanding him to provide aid. Then this monkey can be captured."
The Jade Emperor heard this and immediately transmitted the deployment decree. He dispatched the Great Strength Demon King to carry it.
The Demon King received the decree, rode a cloud, and went straight to the mouth of the Guan River. In less than half an hour, he arrived at the True Lord's temple.
The gate-keeping ghost judges transmitted the message inside: "An angel from Heaven is outside, holding a decree."
Erlang went out with his brothers to receive the decree. He burned incense, opened it, and read:
"The demon monkey Great Sage Equal to Heaven of Flower-Fruit Mountain has caused chaos. Because he stole peaches, stole wine, and stole elixir in the palace, he disturbed the Grand Peach Banquet. Now one hundred thousand celestial soldiers and eighteen layers of heavenly nets and earthly snares surround the mountain to subdue him, but victory has not been won.
We specially deploy you, worthy nephew, together with your sworn brothers, to proceed immediately to Flower-Fruit Mountain to provide aid and eliminate this evil. After success, you shall receive high promotion and heavy reward."
The True Lord rejoiced greatly. "Angel, please return. I shall immediately draw my sword to assist."
The Demon King returned to report. This need not be described.
The True Lord summoned the Six Meishan Brothers: the four Commandants Kang, Zhang, Yao, and Li, and the two Generals Guo Shen and Zhi Jian. He gathered them before the hall and said, "Just now, the Jade Emperor deployed us to go to Flower-Fruit Mountain to subdue the demon monkey. Let us go together."
All the brothers gladly agreed to go.
They mobilized their divine soldiers, harnessed eagles and led hounds, set crossbows and drew bows, rode wild winds, and in an instant crossed the Eastern Ocean. They went straight to Flower-Fruit Mountain.
There they saw the heavenly nets and earthly snares, layer upon dense layer. They could not advance.
The True Lord called out, "Listen, divine generals of the heavenly nets and earthly snares! I am Erlang the Manifesting Sage True Lord, deployed by the Jade Emperor to capture the demon monkey. Quickly open the camp gate and let me pass."
At once, the various gods transmitted this layer by layer. The Four Heavenly Kings and Heavenly King Li all came out of the camp gate to greet him.
After they met, they asked about victory and defeat. Heavenly King Li recounted all the preceding events in detail.
The True Lord laughed, "This Little Sage has come here. I must compete with him in transformations. Gentlemen, do not spread the heavenly nets and earthly snares across the top. Only keep the four sides tight. Let me gamble this fight.
"If I lose to him, you need not assist. I have my brothers to support me. If I win, you need not bind him. I have my brothers to handle it.
"I only ask the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King to use the Mirror of Truth with me, standing in mid-air. I fear that if he flees in defeat, he may escape elsewhere. You must shine the mirror clearly upon him. Do not let him escape."
The Heavenly Kings took their positions in the four directions. The celestial soldiers each took their places in formation.
The True Lord led the four Commandants and two Generals—together with himself, seven brothers—and went out of the camp to challenge. He commanded the various generals to guard the camp tightly and gather all the eagles and hounds. The Grass-Topped Spirits received the order.
The True Lord went only to the Water-Curtain Cave entrance. There he saw a group of monkeys, arranged in perfect order, formed into a Coiling Dragon Battle Array.
In the center stood a banner with the four characters "Great Sage Equal to Heaven" written upon it.
The True Lord said, "That impudent demon, how can he be worthy of the title Equal to Heaven?"
The Six Meishan Brothers said, "Do not praise him yet. Let us challenge."
The little monkeys at the camp entrance saw the True Lord and hurriedly went to report.
The Monkey King immediately drew his Golden-Hooped Rod, adjusted his golden armor, stepped into his cloud-walking shoes, and pressed down his purple-gold crown. He flew out of the camp gate, opened his eyes wide, and looked.
The True Lord's appearance was truly clear and strange, his dress refined and elegant. Truly it was this:
His bearing clear and handsome, his features dignified;
his ears hung to his shoulders, his eyes held light.
He wore a three-peak flying-phoenix cap;
he wore a robe of pale goose-yellow.
Thread-gold boots lined with coiling-dragon socks;
a jade belt with eight-treasure floral ornaments.
At his waist hung a crossbow like a new moon;
in his hand he held a three-point, two-edged spear.
He once split Peach Mountain with an axe to save his mother;
he shot the brown parrot and twin phoenixes with his pellets.
By his own strength he slew eight monsters; his fame spread far;
in righteousness he bound the Meishan Seven Sages.
His heart was lofty—he did not acknowledge kinship with the heavenly family;
his nature proud—he returned as a deity to dwell at Guan River.
The Brilliant Sage of Red City, Zhao Hui, the spirit-hero;
manifesting without limit, his title: Erlang.
The Great Sage saw this. Smiling, he raised his Golden-Hooped Rod and cried loudly, "You are some minor general from where? How dare you come here to challenge?"
The True Lord shouted, "You creature, you have eyes but no pupils. You do not recognize me? I am the Jade Emperor's nephew, Erlang, the Manifesting Sage Spiritual Lord, by imperial decree. Now I have received a command from above to come here and capture you, this Bimawen macaque who rebelled against the heavenly palace. You still do not know life or death."
The Great Sage said, "I remember that in past years, the Jade Emperor's younger sister longed for the mortal realm and descended. She matched with a man named Yang and bore a son. He once used an axe to split Peach Mountain to save his mother. Was that you?
"I would like to curse you a few times, but I have no great grievance against you. I would like to strike you with my rod, but I would pity your life. You, young master of the Yang line, should quickly return. Call out your Four Heavenly Kings to face me."
The True Lord heard this and was furious in his heart. "Impudent monkey! Do not be insolent. Taste my blade."
The Great Sage turned his body and dodged. He swiftly raised his Golden-Hooped Rod and struck back hand to hand.
These two fought a truly magnificent battle:
Zhao Hui, the Erlang Divine Lord;
the Great Sage, Sun of Equal Heaven.
This one, heart lofty, bullied the enemy—the Handsome Monkey King;
that one, face unknown, pressed down the true pillar.
These two met for the first time—
each wagered his spirit.
Never before had they known shallow or deep;
today they learned light and heavy.
The iron staff raced like a flying dragon;
the divine blade danced like a phoenix.
Blocking left, attacking right;
meeting front, reflecting back.
On this array, the Six Meishan Brothers added wind to their aid;
on that array, the Ma and Liu Four Generals transmitted military orders.
Shaking flags, beating drums, all with one heart;
shouting war cries, sifting gongs, all adding excitement.
Two steel blades met with clear sight—
coming and going, without a thread's gap.
The Golden-Hooped Rod is a treasure from the sea—
transforming, flying, leaping, it can gain victory.
If the body is slow, life should end;
if there is any error, it is stumbling failure.
The True Lord and the Great Sage fought for over three hundred rounds. Neither knew victory or defeat.
The True Lord gathered his divine power, shook his body, and transformed. He became ten thousand feet tall. His two hands held the Three-Point Two-Edged Divine Blade. It was like the peak atop Mount Hua—blue face, fanged, crimson hair, fierce and vicious. He chopped straight down at the Great Sage's head.
The Great Sage also used supernatural power. He transformed to match Erlang's body, the same face. He raised his Wish-Fulfilling Golden-Hooped Rod, which became like a heaven-supporting pillar atop Kunlun Mountain, holding against the Erlang Divine Lord.
The Ma and Liu Marshals were so frightened they trembled and could not shake the flags. The Beng and Ba Generals were so terrified they could not wield their swords.
On this array, Kang, Zhang, Yao, Li, Guo Shen, and Zhi Jian transmitted orders. They released the Grass-Topped Spirits, who loosed their eagles and hounds outside the Water-Curtain Cave, set crossbows, drew bows, and attacked together.
Alas, the Great Sage's Four Generals were scattered in chaos. Two or three thousand spirit-monsters were captured. The monkeys threw down their spears, abandoned their armor, cast aside swords and lances. Some ran, some shouted, some went up the mountain, some returned to the cave. It was like a night owl startling roosting birds—they flew in all directions, filling the sky like scattered stars.
The brothers gained victory. This need not be described.
Now, the True Lord and the Great Sage were fighting in the form of Heaven-Emulating, Earth-Imitating giants. As they fought, the Great Sage suddenly saw his camp's demon monkeys scattering in terror. His heart grew panicked. He withdrew his giant form, drew his rod, turned, and fled.
The True Lord saw him fleeing and chased after in great strides. "Where do you run? Surrender now, and I will spare your life."
The Great Sage did not wish to fight. He only ran.
Near the cave entrance, he collided with the four Commandants Kang, Zhang, Yao, and Li, and the two Generals Guo Shen and Zhi Jian. All together led their troops and blocked him.
"Impudent monkey! Where do you run?"
The Great Sage's hands and feet panicked. He pinched his Golden-Hooped Rod into an embroidery needle and hid it in his ear. He shook his body and transformed into a sparrow, flying to the top of a tree and perching there.
The Six Brothers searched frantically, front and back, but could not find him. They shouted together, "The monkey spirit has escaped! The monkey spirit has escaped!"
While they were shouting, the True Lord arrived. He asked, "Brothers, where did you chase him to that you lost him?"
The various gods said, "Just now we surrounded him here, and then he vanished."
The Erlang Lord opened his phoenix eyes wide and looked. He saw the Great Sage had transformed into a sparrow, perched on the tree. He withdrew his giant form, cast aside his divine blade, removed his crossbow, shook his body, and transformed into a sparrowhawk. He spread his wings and flew to attack.
The Great Sage saw this and with a whoosh flew upward, transforming into a great cormorant, shooting toward the sky.
The Erlang Lord saw this and quickly shook his feathers, shook his body, and transformed into a great sea crane, drilling into the clouds to seize him.
The Great Sage pressed his body down again, entered a ravine, and transformed into a fish, diving into the water.
The Erlang Lord chased to the ravine's edge but saw no trace. He thought secretly, "This macaque must have gone into the water. He has certainly transformed into a fish or shrimp. Let me transform again to capture him."
Indeed, he transformed into a fish osprey, floating on the surface of the downstream waves, waiting for a time.
The Great Sage, transformed as a fish, was swimming with the current when he suddenly saw a flying bird: like a green osprey, but its feathers were not green; like a heron, but no crest on its head; like a stork, but its legs were not red.
"This must be Erlang, transformed and waiting for me!"
He quickly turned his head, did a flip, and fled.
The Erlang Lord saw this and thought, "That flip-flooding fish: like a carp, but its tail is not red; like a mandarin fish, but no flower-scales visible; like a black fish, but no star on its head; like a bream, but no needle on its gills. Why did it turn and flee when it saw me? It must be that monkey transformed."
He chased and pecked with his beak.
The Great Sage leaped out of the water and transformed into a water snake, swimming near the shore and burrowing into the grass.
The Erlang Lord, having failed to seize him, heard the water stir and saw a snake dart out. He recognized it as the Great Sage. He quickly turned, transformed again into a gray crane with a red-embroidered crown, extended his long beak (like a pair of pointed iron tongs), and came straight to eat the water snake.
The water snake leaped, transformed again into a flower bustard, and stood clumsily on the reed flat.
The Erlang Lord saw that he had transformed into something low and base—the bustard being the lowest and most licentious of birds, mating with any phoenix, crane, eagle, or crow—so he did not approach.
Instead, he revealed his true form, walked over, took up his crossbow, drew it to the full, and shot a pellet that struck the bustard, making it stumble.
The Great Sage seized the opportunity, rolled down the cliff, crouched there, and transformed again. He became a local earth temple: his mouth opened wide like a temple gate, his teeth transformed into door panels, his tongue into a bodhisattva statue, his eyes into window lattices. Only his tail could not be properly arranged. He stood it upright behind, transforming it into a flagpole.
The True Lord chased to the cliff base. He did not see the fallen bustard bird—only a small temple.
He opened his phoenix eyes wide and examined carefully. He saw the flagpole standing at the back. He laughed, "It is this macaque! Now he is trying to deceive me again.
"I have seen many temples, but I have never seen one with a flagpole erected at the back. This must be that beast causing trouble. If he deceives me into entering, he will bite me. How could I enter?
"Let me first draw my fist and smash the window lattices, then kick in the door panels."
The Great Sage heard this and was terrified in his heart. "So ruthless, so ruthless! The door panels are my teeth, the window lattices are my eyes. If he breaks my teeth and smashes my eyes, what shall I do?"
With a tiger's leap, he sprang into the air and vanished.
The True Lord chased frantically, front and back. The four Commandants and two Generals all crowded around and said, "Elder Brother, have you captured the Great Sage?"
The True Lord laughed, "That monkey just transformed into a temple to deceive me. I was about to smash his window lattices and kick his door panels when he leaped and vanished without trace. Strange, strange!"
All were astonished. They looked in all four directions, but there was no form or shadow.
The True Lord said, "Brothers, guard and patrol here. Let me ascend and search for him."
He quickly leaped, rode a cloud, and rose into mid-air. There he saw Heavenly King Li holding high the Mirror of Truth, standing in the clouds with Nezha.
The True Lord said, "Heavenly King, have you seen that Monkey King?"
Heavenly King Li said, "He has not come up. I am shining the mirror upon him here."
The True Lord recounted the matter of gambling in transformations, displaying supernatural power, and capturing the monkeys. Then he said, "He transformed into a temple. Just as I was about to strike, he fled."
Heavenly King Li heard this and shone the Mirror of Truth in all four directions. He laughed heartily, "True Lord, go quickly, go quickly! That monkey has used an invisibility spell. He has walked out of the camp encirclement and is going to your Guan River mouth!"
The Erlang Lord heard this, immediately took up his divine blade, and returned to Guan River to chase.
Now, the Great Sage had already arrived at Guan River. He shook his body, transformed into Grandfather Erlang's appearance, reined in his cloud, and went straight into the temple.
The ghost judges could not recognize him. One by one, they kowtowed to greet him.
He sat in the center and inspected the incense offerings. He saw Li Hu's returned three-sacrifice offerings, Zhang Long's vowed blessings for safety, Zhao Jia's prayer for children, and Qian Bing's vow for healing illness.
As he was looking, someone reported, "Another Grandfather has arrived."
The ghost judges hurriedly looked. All were terrified in their hearts.
The True Lord said, "Is there some Great Sage Equal to Heaven who has come here?"
The ghost judges said, "We have not seen any Great Sage. Only one Grandfather is inside, inspecting the offerings."
The True Lord burst through the gate. The Great Sage saw him and revealed his true form. "Young Master, do not shout. This temple now bears the surname Sun."
The True Lord immediately raised his Three-Point Two-Edged Divine Blade and chopped straight at his face.
The Monkey King used a body technique to dodge the divine blade. He drew out the embroidery needle, shook it once until it was as thick as a bowl, rushed forward, and met him face to face.
The two shouted and brawled, fighting out of the temple gate, half-mist half-cloud, fighting as they went, and returned to Flower-Fruit Mountain.
The Four Heavenly Kings and others were alarmed and tightened their defenses. The Commandants Kang and Zhang and others met the True Lord and worked together with one heart, surrounding the Handsome Monkey King. This need not be described.
Now, after the Great Strength Demon King had deployed the True Lord and his six brothers to lead troops and capture the demon, he returned to the upper realm to report.
The Jade Emperor, Bodhisattva Guanyin, the Queen Mother, and all the celestial ministers were speaking in the Empyrean Hall.
"Erlang has gone to battle, but this day has passed without report."
The Bodhisattva clasped her palms and said, "This poor monk asks Your Majesty to accompany the Daoist Ancestor outside the Southern Heaven Gate to see the truth of the situation."
The Jade Emperor said, "Well said."
He immediately arranged his carriage and went with the Daoist Ancestor, the Bodhisattva, the Queen Mother, and all the celestial ministers to the Southern Heaven Gate.
Some heavenly soldiers and laborers had already arrived. They opened the gate and observed from afar.
They saw the heavenly soldiers spreading nets, surrounding all four sides. Heavenly King Li and Nezha held the Mirror of Truth, standing in mid-air. The True Lord surrounded the Great Sage in the center, and they were all gambling in battle.
The Bodhisattva spoke to Laozi, "How is this Erlang Divine Lord I recommended? Truly he has supernatural power. He has already surrounded the Great Sage. He has only not yet captured him.
"Now I will assist him with merit. I will certainly capture him."
Laozi said, "What weapon will the Bodhisattva use? How will you assist?"
The Bodhisattva said, "I will throw down my Pure Vase of Willow and strike that monkey's head. Even if it does not kill him, it will knock him down. Then the Little Sage Erlang can easily capture him."
Laozi said, "Your vase is porcelain. If you strike him, well and good. But if you miss his head or strike his iron rod, will it not shatter? Do not act yet. Let this old one assist him with merit."
The Bodhisattva asked, "What weapon do you have?"
Laozi said, "I have it, I have it, I have it."
He rolled up his sleeve and took a ring from his left arm. "This weapon was forged from kun-steel, refined by me with elixir. I cultivated it until it possessed spiritual energy. It can transform, water and fire cannot invade it, and it can bind all things.
"Its first name is 'Diamond Bangle.' Its second name is 'Diamond Snare.' In past years, when I crossed the Hangu Pass and transformed the barbarians into Buddhas, I owed much to it. Morning and evening, it serves best for self-defense.
"Let me throw it down and strike him once."
After speaking, he hurled it down from the heavenly gate. Spinning, it fell straight into the Flower-Fruit Mountain camp, striking the Monkey King squarely on the head.
The Monkey King was bitterly fighting the Seven Sages and did not know this weapon had fallen from the sky. It struck his skull. He could not stand firm, stumbled, fell, got up, and ran.
The Erlang Lord's fine hound chased after, bit him on the calf, and pulled him down again.
He lay on the ground and cursed, "This dead thing! You do not trouble your master's family, but you bite old Sun!"
He struggled to rise but could not. The Seven Sages rushed forward together, pressed him down, bound him with ropes, and pierced his pipa bone with a hook-blade. He could no longer transform.
The old one retrieved his Diamond Bangle. He invited the Jade Emperor, Guanyin, the Queen Mother, and all the immortals to return to the Empyrean Hall.
Below, the Four Heavenly Kings, Heavenly King Li, and all the gods withdrew their troops and pulled up their camps. They approached the Little Sage to congratulate him.
All said, "This is the Little Sage's merit."
The Little Sage said, "This is the Heavenly Worthy's great fortune and the divine gods' mighty power. What merit do I have?"
Kang, Zhang, Yao, and Li said, "Elder Brother need not speak further. Let us escort this creature to the upper realm to see the Jade Emperor and request his judgment."
The True Lord said, "Worthy Brothers, you have not received the celestial register. You may not face the Jade Emperor. Let the heavenly armor divine soldiers escort him. I will go with Heavenly King Li and others to the upper realm to report.
"You lead the troops here and search the mountain. After the search is complete, return to Guankou. When I have requested my reward and claimed my merit, I will return and share in the joy."
The four Commandants and two Generals obeyed and accepted his command.
The True Lord and the others rode their clouds, sang songs of triumph, and ascended to Heaven in victory.
In little time, they arrived outside the Hall of Clear Light.
The Celestial Master reported, "The Four Heavenly Kings and others have captured the demon monkey Great Sage Equal to Heaven. They await your decree."
The Jade Emperor transmitted his decree, ordering the Great Strength Demon King and the heavenly soldiers to escort him to the Demon-Slaying Platform and chop his corpse into pieces.
Alas! This is precisely:
The deceiver now suffers the bitterness of penal law;
the hero's spirit rests for a time.
How the Monkey King's life fares—
listen to the explanation in the next chapter.